Senior Operations Research Analyst Job Description

The Senior Operations Research Analyst leads high-impact analytical efforts that inform senior defense leaders, shape military strategy, and drive operational effectiveness. Drawing on deep expertise in quantitative methods and military operations, the successful candidate designs and oversees complex studies that address critical challenges in force readiness, resource allocation, modernization, and capability development. The senior analyst serves as a trusted advisor, mentor, and thought leader within interdisciplinary teams and across organizational boundaries. 

Key Responsibilities:

• Lead the design, execution, and delivery of advanced operations research studies that support strategic, operational, and tactical decision-making.
• Apply advanced modeling, simulation, optimization, and statistical techniques to analyze military problems with incomplete or uncertain information.
• Guide and mentor junior analysts in the application of sound methodologies, critical thinking, and effective communication of results.
• Serve as a senior advisor to military stakeholders, providing analytical insights that inform planning, programming, and policy decisions.
• Translate complex technical findings into clear, actionable recommendations for senior leadership across the Department of Defense (DoD) and other national security organizations.
• Oversee development and validation of decision-support tools, models, and simulations to evaluate operational scenarios and trade-offs.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams, including military officers, technologists,      acquisition professionals, and policy experts, to ensure analysis aligns with mission priorities.
• Represent the organization in high-level briefings, interagency working groups, and      professional forums.

Location: Chantilly, VA

• U.S. Citizenship and ability to obtain a security clearance is required for this position
• Master’s degree (or higher) in Operations Research, Applied Mathematics, Systems      Engineering, Data Science, or related field.
• Minimum of 8–10 years of experience conducting and leading operations research in      military or defense environments.
• Demonstrated success in managing complex analytical projects, including scoping studies, selecting appropriate methodologies, and delivering impactful results.
• Deep understanding of military operations, planning processes (e.g., MDMP, JOPES, APEX), and defense policy frameworks (e.g., PPBE, JCIDS).
• Proficiency in modeling and analysis tools (e.g., Python, R, MATLAB, AnyLogic, Arena) and visualization platforms (e.g., Tableau, Power BI).
• Strong written and verbal communication skills; able to present complex material clearly to senior stakeholders and non-technical audiences.

          Preferred Qualifications:

• Prior experience supporting senior leadership in organizations such as OSD, Joint Staff, Combatant Commands, Service Headquarters, or FFRDCs.
• Experience integrating classified, operational, and open-source data into coherent      analytical frameworks.
• Familiarity with wargaming, campaign-level modeling, and future force planning.
• Recognized expertise in mentoring teams, shaping study agendas, and influencing      organizational strategy through analytics.